Through the Lens: Understanding Eye Discharge
Eye discharge, also known as eye mucus or boogers, is a common condition affecting people of all ages.
It refers to the sticky or crusty substance that accumulates in the corners of the eyes or along the eyelashes.
Eye discharge can have various causes, from physiological processes to underlying eye infections or allergies.
According to NCBI, acute Conjunctivitis affects almost 6 million people annually in the United States alone.
Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for eye discharge is essential in maintaining good eye health and preventing potential complications.
This article will explore the different aspects of eye discharge, including its causes, types, symptoms, and management.
Causes of eye discharge
Changes in the consistency, color, and quantity of eye discharge can sometimes indicate an eye infection or disease.
While sleep in your eyes, also known as eye discharge or eye mucus, is generally not a cause for alarm, certain eye conditions may be associated with abnormal eye discharge.
Some common eye conditions that can cause abnormal eye discharge include:
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, usually known as pink eye, is an inflammation of the thin membrane that lines the sclera (the “white” of the eye) and the inner surface of the eyelids.
One of the hallmark symptoms of Conjunctivitis is eye discharge, which can be white, yellow, or green and may form a crust along the lash line during sleep.
In severe cases, the eye discharge can be so significant that it temporarily seals the eyelids shut.
Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, can manifest in different forms, with three common types:
- Viral Conjunctivitis: It is caused by a viral infection, most commonly by adenovirus. It is highly contagious and can spread easily through contact with infected eye secretions or contaminated surfaces.
- Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Bacterial Conjunctivitis is caused by bacterial infection, often due to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia, or Haemophilus influenza. It can result in yellow or greenish eye discharge, redness, swelling, and discomfort.
- Allergic Conjunctivitis: It is triggered by an allergic reaction to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mold. It can cause eye discharge that is typically clear and watery, along with itching, redness, and tearing. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious and can be managed with antihistamines, decongestants, or other allergy medications.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a chronic disorder involving inflammation of the eyelash hair follicles or the meibomian glands at the eyelids’ inner edge.
It is a common eye condition that causes inflammation of the eyelids, typically at the base of the eyelashes.
It can be associated with eye discharge, a common condition symptom.
The eyelids have numerous oil glands, known as meibomian glands, that produce an oily substance that helps to lubricate the eyes and prevent tears from evaporating too quickly.
In Blepharitis, these meibomian glands can become blocked, leading to an overgrowth of bacteria along the eyelid margin.
Properly managing and treating Blepharitis may involve eyelid hygiene, warm compresses, medication, and addressing underlying causes such as dry eye syndrome or bacterial infection.
Dry eyes
Dry eye syndrome is a chronic condition due to insufficient tear production or dysfunction of the meibomian glands.
Common symptoms of dry eyes include redness, bloodshot eyes, burning sensation, blurry vision, and the sensation of having a foreign body in the eye.
In some cases, dry eyes can also cause increased watery eye discharge.
Corneal ulcer
A corneal ulcer is a sight-threatening infection of the cornea that resembles an abscess and is typically brought on by injury to the eye or an untreated eye infection.
Eye pain, redness, swollen eyelids, and heavy eye discharge mark a corneal ulcer.
When eye pus is severe enough, the cornea can get clouded and cause visual problems.
Corneal ulcers can cause complete blindness if they are not treated right away.
Yellow discharge from eyes
Yellow discharge takes place due to bacterial infection.
It can accompany tear duct obstruction, meibomian gland dysfunction, Blepharitis, a stye, or bacterial Conjunctivitis.
The tear ducts produce more tears when the eye feels dry, scraped, or as if something is in it.
It could signify dacryocystitis if you find yellow or white mucus balls. It is an infection of the tear drainage system or tear duct.
When an eye is infected, the conjunctiva, the translucent covering of the eye, gets irritated.
The white blood cells in the body help in fighting eye infections.
As the bacteria are killed by the white blood cells, pus is formed. This pus comes from the eyes in the form of dead cells, tears, and dead bacteria.
This discharge can take place anytime, whether you are awake or sleeping.
If you are awake, you can see it towards the corner of your eye or eyelash when you blink.
Although if you sleep and then wake up, you typically have dry discharge on your eyelashes and corners of your eyes.
If this occurs, you may be unable to open your eyes because the crusty discharge prevents the eyelashes from separating.
Some of the causes which can lead to eye irritation are:
- Chemicals that are present in your eyes
- If you wear contact lenses for long
- Fungi that get into your eye
- Irritation in your eyes because of any particle
- Parasites and amoebas
Other symptoms of this discharge may include eye redness, drainage from puncta (tear duct opening), and facial pain.
This condition can lead to severe issues if not tackled with time.
Crusty debris or flakes near the base of the eyelashes may be a sign of blepharitis.
It is an inflammation caused by excess oil, germs around the eyelids, or meibomian gland malfunction.
Yellow mucus could indicate a stye, a painful red bump that develops on or under the eyelid when eyelash follicles or oil glands become clogged and inflamed.
The yellow patch in the center of a stye, which occasionally resembles a pimple, may contain yellow pus; however, you should not attempt to pop it! Most styes resolve independently, but popping them can spread the illness.
Treatment
Consult an eye doctor if your ocular discharge’s color, frequency, consistency, or quantity changes.
If an eye infection is the source of eye mucus, your eye doctor may prescribe antibiotics or antiviral eye drops and ointments.
Some eye drops could be Besix Eye Drop and Toba Eye Drops.
Eye treatments containing over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines help reduce ocular allergy symptoms, including tearing and irritation.
Warm compresses applied to the eyes can ease sensations of itching and general discomfort, facilitating clear eye discharge.
The quickest approach to “peel” jabbed eyelids is to place a washcloth soaked in hot water over your eyes for a few minutes before gently wiping away the discharge.
Yellow eye discharge in babies
Infant eye discharge is a common issue.
This is often treatable at home, but if there is a yellow eye discharge, it will require medical attention.
Discharge accompanied by additional symptoms in the eye region, such as swelling or pain, may indicate an infection or another eye condition.
A parent or carer of a newborn exhibiting these symptoms must visit a physician.
20% of newborns have sliced tear ducts, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, which is the most common cause.
This condition exists as the end of the tear duct doesn’t open properly when a baby is born.
White eye discharge
White mucus is generally an outcome of allergic conjunctivitis.
This infection can create deposits and material clumping together, which settles under your eyelid.
People with this condition may pull that white stringy mucus from their eyes out of irritation.
It can accompany tear duct obstruction, meibomian gland dysfunction, Blepharitis, a Stye, or Bacterial conjunctivitis.
The tear ducts produce more tears when the eye feels dry, scraped, or as if something is in it.
Milflox is an eye drop that can help with conjunctivitis and can be bought from WowRxPharmacy.
When an eye is infected, the conjunctiva, a translucent covering in the eye, gets irritated. Itâs then when the body’s white blood cells help fight eye infections.
The white patch in the center of a stye, which occasionally resembles a pimple, may contain pus.
However, you should not attempt to pop it! Most styes resolve independently, but popping them can spread the illness.
Treatments
A small amount of ocular discharge is harmless, but you should consult an eye doctor if the color, frequency, consistency, or amount varies.
Your eye doctor may prescribe an antibiotic or antiviral eye drops and ointments if an eye infection is the source of eye mucus.
Eye drops
Decongestants and over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops can alleviate ocular allergy symptoms, including tearing and inflammation.
Warm compress
Warm compresses applied to the eyes can alleviate symptoms of itching and general discomfort, allowing for clear eye discharge.
Wiping
If your eyelids are jabbed together, the easiest way to “peel” them is to place a washcloth soaked in hot water over your eyes for a few minutes before gently wiping away the discharge.
Green eye discharge
Green eye discharge can indicate an underlying condition, such as a bacterial infection, allergies, conjunctivitis, or corneal ulcers.
Symptoms of green eye discharge may include itchiness in the eyes and other discomforts.
If left untreated, green eye discharge can potentially cause permanent eye damage.
A healthcare professional, such as an eye care specialist, can properly evaluate, diagnose, and treat the underlying condition causing the green eye discharge.
Treatment of green eye discharge
Green eye discharge can be treated with the help of the proper medication and, in severe cases, with surgery.
It is always better to consult your doctor if you have extreme green eye discharge.
Medicines
Green eye discharge can be scary but donât panic.
With the help of suitable medications, one can relieve this symptom.
As mentioned above, green eye discharge can happen for many reasons like Conjunctivitis, Keratitis, and even Dry eyes.
The following medications can help you deal with green eye discharge. They are easily available at WowRx.
| Medicines that help to treat green eye discharge | Price |
| Besix Eye Drop 0.6% (5ml) (Conjunctivitis) | $14.90 |
| Milflox 0.5% 5 ml (Conjunctivitis) | $2.93 |
| Eyemist E/D 10 ml (Dry eyes) | $13.66 |
Surgery
In infectious Conjunctivitis, surgery is not recommended.
However, surgical techniques like Photorefractive keratectomy may be used in severe corneal issues.
In the case of Infectious Keratitis, Penetrating Keratoplasty (PKP) is the most common procedure.
Sinus infection eye discharge
Sinus infections, or sinusitis, can sometimes cause eye-related symptoms, including discharge.
Sinusitis occurs when the sinuses, which are air-filled cavities in the skull, become inflamed and swollen due to infection or other causes.
The sinuses are connected to the nasal passages.
When they become blocked or infected, it can lead to increased production of mucus, which may drain into the back of the throat and sometimes into the eyes, causing eye discharge.
The eye discharge associated with sinus infections is typically clear or slightly thick.
It may be accompanied by other symptoms such as nasal congestion, facial pain or pressure, headache, and cough.
If you are experiencing eye discharge along with other symptoms of sinusitis, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis.
Prevention of eye discharge
If you follow the tips mentioned below, you can prevent eye infections.
- Try not sharing face washers, towels, or make-up with anyone else to avoid infections
- Try to dry your face washers, towels, and bed linen under sunlight after washing
- Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes.
- If you are caught with an infection, try not using a lens for at least a week
- Clean your eye discharge gently, and try cleaning it outwards from the corner of your eye.
- Use a new cotton wool pad while cleaning your eye; it prevents any infection from passing from one eye to another
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding eye discharge is crucial in maintaining good eye health.
Various factors, such as infections, allergies, and other underlying conditions, can cause it.
By paying attention to the color, consistency, and accompanying symptoms of eye discharge, one can identify potential causes and seek appropriate medical care.
Regular eye hygiene, avoiding rubbing the eyes, and seeking prompt medical attention when needed can help prevent complications and protect vision.
Consulting with an eye care professional is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment for any persistent or concerning eye discharge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is eye discharge?
Eye discharge is a fluid that can be watery, sticky, or thick produced by the eyes. It can be normal but also a symptom of an underlying condition, such as infection, allergies, or other eye disorders.
When should I worry about the baby’s eye discharge?
If your baby has eye discharge that is thick, colored (yellow, green, or white), persistent, accompanied by redness, swelling, or fussiness, or affects their vision. You should seek medical attention promptly, as it may indicate an underlying infection or eye condition.
Is it normal for newborns to have eye discharge?
It is usual for newborns to have eye discharge in the first few weeks of life. It is typically clear or whitish and is caused by the tear ducts adjusting and opening. Gentle cleaning with a clean, moist cloth is usually sufficient.
What causes eye discharge?
Eye discharge can be caused by various factors, including infections (bacterial or viral conjunctivitis), allergies, dry eyes, foreign objects, blocked tear ducts, and other eye conditions. Proper evaluation by a healthcare professional is recommended for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Do allergies cause eye discharge?
Yes, allergies can cause eye discharge. Allergic conjunctivitis, triggered by pollen, dust, or pet dander allergens, can cause eye discharge and other symptoms like itching, redness, and watery eyes.
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